All,
It has been over a month since my last post. A lot has hapenned in this past month so I do not really know where to start.
My previous post announced an up-coming surgery. The nerve de-compression surgery was performed last Friday and as expected, it went very well. Dr. Norris called it a success. We will not know the real results right away because it still takes a long time for nerves to heal, but it is still positive to think that the paraneal nerve may not be permanently damaged. Now, the test of time will tell the progress.
Speaking of progress, I feel better than I have since the wreck. Work has released me to full status and I have gone on three site visits since the release. It feels great to be back in the game and doing what I am supposed to do.
Last Saturday was graduation at the University of Arkansas. I completed my Master of Science in Operations Management through the college of Industrial Engineering. This is a milestone that I have wanted to complete for a long time. I am nothing less that proud and happy to reach this accomplishment and look forward to wearing an alumni shirt with pride.
Allen has entered the workforce. A few weeks ago he started working at Hardees and is doing a great job. We were lucky to pick up a car from a co-worker and he is back on the road. Riding the bus to school for a month and a half was a real eye opener for him and he has a new appreciation of work and transportation. We are extremely proud of him!
Of course we are getting lake fever. Allen's new job is going to present new challenges and tough decisions regarding lake weekends. We will see how this transition goes.
Sam is doing well in school, but seems to be looking for attention that does not please the teachers - particularly substitute teachers. I hope that Cara's recent talk with him will sink in the importance of respect to his teachers as well as fellow students.
Cara is still working very hard. It is hard to call her practice new anymore. We are optimistic that the bugs keeping her from getting paid by Medicare will be worked out soon.
I enjoyed going to Fort Smith yesterday to see my mom and dad. It was the first time for me to see my mom since her surgery on her broken femur. She looked very good and seems to be healing well. I learned that my dad has scheduled his retirement. This is a huge milestone for him that he swears he is looking forward to, but I still do not see him retiring.
That is about all for now. I need to schedule a two week follow up appointment to get the staples removed and to learn more about my prognosis. It should be all good news from here on out.
Still no word from the Air Force. My hopes for returning to service continue to dim.
J.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Good News! More Surgery
When does more surgery mean good news? I will do my best to explain it.
Last Tuesday, Cara and I made the trek back to Tulsa to see Dr. Norris. I was particularly nervous about this visit. After hearing the EMG on the peroneal nerve resulted in un-recoverable damage and physically feeling tenderness in my hip, I could not anticipate any positive news.
With respect to the hip. Dr. Norris could see new bone growth in the new x-rays. My tenderness is worst in the morning when I wake up and gradually gets better throughout the day. This is typical for hip joint arthritis and I should expect this until I can't bear it any longer and get a hip replacement. If the tenderness increased throughout the day, it would indicate that the bone still was not healing. Therefore, the Exogen bone stimulator is actually working and I am to continue to use it.
With respect to my nerve damage. Dr. Norris had a plan this entire time. He wanted to schedule the EMG close to my follow up visit so he would know where the damage was. During the visit, he physically showed it to me under my left knee. He said the nerve has excessive pressure on it due to pulling through the scar tissue and this pressure prevents it from sending the correct signals to my ankle and foot. He recommends a nerve de-compression surgery to try to relieve this pressure. I stopped him when he mentioned surgery, but he explained that the nerve is very close to the surface and the procedure would be very easy and most likely out-patient. I will not have any load bearing restrictions and I will be able to return to work immediately. The surgery cannot do any more harm and it will likely relieve the nerve pains and possible improve motor function in my foot. It is scheduled for May 7th.
Overall, we were very pleased with the trip and the news. I am cautiously optimistic. It will still take time for the nerve to come back, but at least there is a chance.
J.
Last Tuesday, Cara and I made the trek back to Tulsa to see Dr. Norris. I was particularly nervous about this visit. After hearing the EMG on the peroneal nerve resulted in un-recoverable damage and physically feeling tenderness in my hip, I could not anticipate any positive news.
With respect to the hip. Dr. Norris could see new bone growth in the new x-rays. My tenderness is worst in the morning when I wake up and gradually gets better throughout the day. This is typical for hip joint arthritis and I should expect this until I can't bear it any longer and get a hip replacement. If the tenderness increased throughout the day, it would indicate that the bone still was not healing. Therefore, the Exogen bone stimulator is actually working and I am to continue to use it.
With respect to my nerve damage. Dr. Norris had a plan this entire time. He wanted to schedule the EMG close to my follow up visit so he would know where the damage was. During the visit, he physically showed it to me under my left knee. He said the nerve has excessive pressure on it due to pulling through the scar tissue and this pressure prevents it from sending the correct signals to my ankle and foot. He recommends a nerve de-compression surgery to try to relieve this pressure. I stopped him when he mentioned surgery, but he explained that the nerve is very close to the surface and the procedure would be very easy and most likely out-patient. I will not have any load bearing restrictions and I will be able to return to work immediately. The surgery cannot do any more harm and it will likely relieve the nerve pains and possible improve motor function in my foot. It is scheduled for May 7th.
Overall, we were very pleased with the trip and the news. I am cautiously optimistic. It will still take time for the nerve to come back, but at least there is a chance.
J.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
It has been a while since the last post
Overall I would say things are going pretty good.
Cara's practice is really doing well.
The boys are doing well - Allen was in a wreck on March 13th that totalled his car. Nobody was hurt, but he is dealing with riding the bus and looking for a job.
I actually got to put some closure on an un-answered question yesterday.
I had a nerve conductance study to determine the location and the severity of the nerve damage in my left leg. Unfortunatley, the nerve damage and the drop foot is permanent. There was some conductance, but it did not engage my muscles.
On April 6th, Cara and I are making the drive to Tulsa to see Dr. Norris - hopefully for the last time. This visit will let us know if the bone stimulator has been effective at healing my left hip. I honestly can't tell right now because there is still tenderness, but I can tell that I am feeling better overall and I am moving more and more without the cane.
This week has been Spring Break for the boys, but we have not really done anything. Sam is going to the lake this weekend to stay with a buddy from Springfield. Allen is going to stay with my parents in Fort Smith. Cara and I are hosting a dinner party Saturday night to celebrate her upcoming 40th birthday on the 30th.
J
Cara's practice is really doing well.
The boys are doing well - Allen was in a wreck on March 13th that totalled his car. Nobody was hurt, but he is dealing with riding the bus and looking for a job.
I actually got to put some closure on an un-answered question yesterday.
I had a nerve conductance study to determine the location and the severity of the nerve damage in my left leg. Unfortunatley, the nerve damage and the drop foot is permanent. There was some conductance, but it did not engage my muscles.
On April 6th, Cara and I are making the drive to Tulsa to see Dr. Norris - hopefully for the last time. This visit will let us know if the bone stimulator has been effective at healing my left hip. I honestly can't tell right now because there is still tenderness, but I can tell that I am feeling better overall and I am moving more and more without the cane.
This week has been Spring Break for the boys, but we have not really done anything. Sam is going to the lake this weekend to stay with a buddy from Springfield. Allen is going to stay with my parents in Fort Smith. Cara and I are hosting a dinner party Saturday night to celebrate her upcoming 40th birthday on the 30th.
J
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Healing Continues
All, here is a quick update on my status as the healing continues.
I went back to Tulsa on February 2nd for a follow up visit from the hip surgery in November. If you remember, I had hoped to walk in to his office, but those hopes did not happen due to the fall on the ice injuring my knee. The up side to the visit was that my knee appears to be healing well and as I type this, I am back to using one crutch. Dr. Norris prescribed a new AFO (foot and ankle support). This was needed for a few reasons. My leg has changed a bit since the last one was molded and it really creates discomfort by the end of the day. I need toe support since I am unable to straighten my toes due to the nerve damage they get curled under as I put my shoe on. Finally, since the last operation, I need more arch support to help me walk. Other good news from the visit was the positive prognosis for the nerve regeneration. I am scheduled for a nerve conduction test to see where the activity is and how far it has to go. They estimate about 1"/month.
The bad news from the visit was that the bone graft performed in October did not take and the hip still has not completely healed to the femur. Nearly devastating nes, but I am now using a bone stimulation device with about a 75% chance for healing.
Somewhat good news regarding the reserves. It looks like I am closer to returning to duty. I need to get a letter completed by Dr. Arnold and take it with me when I go to visit in March. Hopefully with this letter, I will get a waiver signed allowing me to serve in a desk environment. I was starting to lose all hope so I try not to get my hopes up too high.
Family is doing well. Cara's practice seems to be thriving. My dad came up a couple weekends ago to help me and Allen repair his exhaust - he had the loudest car in town for a couple weeks and now it purrs. Sam told us last night that his art teacher wants to display one of his pieces in the school library and possibly in an art show.
Cara and I have started looking at the summer lake schedule. We are getting spring fever.
J
I went back to Tulsa on February 2nd for a follow up visit from the hip surgery in November. If you remember, I had hoped to walk in to his office, but those hopes did not happen due to the fall on the ice injuring my knee. The up side to the visit was that my knee appears to be healing well and as I type this, I am back to using one crutch. Dr. Norris prescribed a new AFO (foot and ankle support). This was needed for a few reasons. My leg has changed a bit since the last one was molded and it really creates discomfort by the end of the day. I need toe support since I am unable to straighten my toes due to the nerve damage they get curled under as I put my shoe on. Finally, since the last operation, I need more arch support to help me walk. Other good news from the visit was the positive prognosis for the nerve regeneration. I am scheduled for a nerve conduction test to see where the activity is and how far it has to go. They estimate about 1"/month.
The bad news from the visit was that the bone graft performed in October did not take and the hip still has not completely healed to the femur. Nearly devastating nes, but I am now using a bone stimulation device with about a 75% chance for healing.
Somewhat good news regarding the reserves. It looks like I am closer to returning to duty. I need to get a letter completed by Dr. Arnold and take it with me when I go to visit in March. Hopefully with this letter, I will get a waiver signed allowing me to serve in a desk environment. I was starting to lose all hope so I try not to get my hopes up too high.
Family is doing well. Cara's practice seems to be thriving. My dad came up a couple weekends ago to help me and Allen repair his exhaust - he had the loudest car in town for a couple weeks and now it purrs. Sam told us last night that his art teacher wants to display one of his pieces in the school library and possibly in an art show.
Cara and I have started looking at the summer lake schedule. We are getting spring fever.
J
Friday, January 29, 2010
Insufficiency Fractures
Hello,
It seems like it has been a while since I have posted an update. I think during my last post I commented on being able to put full weight on my left leg and I was looking forward. Well, I have had to deal with a minor setback.
Three weeks ago on January 7th, I slipped and fell down on some ice. It hurt, but I did not really think anything was really wrong. Throughout the weekend, my left knee continued to feel worse so I made an appointment with Dr,. Arnold. I got in to see him exactly a week after the fall and even during the appointment, I was wandering if I was making to much of nothing. The x-rays did not show anything, but Dr. Arnold wanted me to get an MRI to make sure. The MRI was done exactly two weeks after the fall and by this time I was really feeling ridiculous. The pain was going away rapidly and I could not help but think this was a waste of time and money. Friday after the MRI I started walking with a single crutch again with little to no pain in my knee. However, when I called Cara to let her know I would be home late from work, she told me the doctor's office had left a message that they discovered insufficiency fractures and I needed to keep all my weight of my left leg to let them heal and to not allow them to become worse resulting in a full fracture. How can this be? No pain in my leg, too small to detect in x-rays. I did not want to post anything because I thought it may just be a bruise and I was over reacting. My follow up appointment from the MRI was yesterday and the doctor instructed me to stay on two crutches for at least three more weeks. He said the bone bruise and fractures would not have a chance to heal with continued impact from walking. If you look up insufficiency fractures, you will find the dominate diagnosis is from elderly women with no known trauma. I am not an old woman, but Dr. Arnold did mention Osteoporosis due to multiple trauma. Wow. He did not mention any need for calcium supplements or other preventative medicine.
Like I said before, there is basically no pain in my knee at this point. It is very hard to stay on two crutches when I know it feels OK to use just one.
Many people come to me daily and ask me when I will be walking again. Will I be walking again. I brush it off saying I am continually healing. Unless you have experienced this degree of trauma, you will never know how long it takes. Cara and I went on a very nice weekend trip to Little Rock last weekend. During the trip, she mentioned that she has noticed an incredible positive difference since this time last year. I agree that my state of mind and my willingness and desire to do more has increased dramatically. If you have not seen or talked to me in the past year, I assure you I am back to my former pre-wreck self even if it is mentally.
J
It seems like it has been a while since I have posted an update. I think during my last post I commented on being able to put full weight on my left leg and I was looking forward. Well, I have had to deal with a minor setback.
Three weeks ago on January 7th, I slipped and fell down on some ice. It hurt, but I did not really think anything was really wrong. Throughout the weekend, my left knee continued to feel worse so I made an appointment with Dr,. Arnold. I got in to see him exactly a week after the fall and even during the appointment, I was wandering if I was making to much of nothing. The x-rays did not show anything, but Dr. Arnold wanted me to get an MRI to make sure. The MRI was done exactly two weeks after the fall and by this time I was really feeling ridiculous. The pain was going away rapidly and I could not help but think this was a waste of time and money. Friday after the MRI I started walking with a single crutch again with little to no pain in my knee. However, when I called Cara to let her know I would be home late from work, she told me the doctor's office had left a message that they discovered insufficiency fractures and I needed to keep all my weight of my left leg to let them heal and to not allow them to become worse resulting in a full fracture. How can this be? No pain in my leg, too small to detect in x-rays. I did not want to post anything because I thought it may just be a bruise and I was over reacting. My follow up appointment from the MRI was yesterday and the doctor instructed me to stay on two crutches for at least three more weeks. He said the bone bruise and fractures would not have a chance to heal with continued impact from walking. If you look up insufficiency fractures, you will find the dominate diagnosis is from elderly women with no known trauma. I am not an old woman, but Dr. Arnold did mention Osteoporosis due to multiple trauma. Wow. He did not mention any need for calcium supplements or other preventative medicine.
Like I said before, there is basically no pain in my knee at this point. It is very hard to stay on two crutches when I know it feels OK to use just one.
Many people come to me daily and ask me when I will be walking again. Will I be walking again. I brush it off saying I am continually healing. Unless you have experienced this degree of trauma, you will never know how long it takes. Cara and I went on a very nice weekend trip to Little Rock last weekend. During the trip, she mentioned that she has noticed an incredible positive difference since this time last year. I agree that my state of mind and my willingness and desire to do more has increased dramatically. If you have not seen or talked to me in the past year, I assure you I am back to my former pre-wreck self even if it is mentally.
J
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Time for Prayer again
All,
I know very few details, but this is what I do know. One of my brothers currently in Iraq, just learned that his young son had a tumor detected in his brain. He is currently packing to come home on emergency leave to be with his family. Please help me to pray for his safe return and pray for his son's recovery. Bobby is a young minister and a dear friend of mine.
I do not even know how to reach out to his family right now. I am sure things are scary, busy and crazy.
Pray for peace and healing.
Thank you,
J
I know very few details, but this is what I do know. One of my brothers currently in Iraq, just learned that his young son had a tumor detected in his brain. He is currently packing to come home on emergency leave to be with his family. Please help me to pray for his safe return and pray for his son's recovery. Bobby is a young minister and a dear friend of mine.
I do not even know how to reach out to his family right now. I am sure things are scary, busy and crazy.
Pray for peace and healing.
Thank you,
J
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
I made it to 40!
Yes, I turned 40 today. The reality has not sunk in yet. I honestly still feel like a kid inside. We all know that this journey to 40 years old was not a sure thing.
Regarding the doctor appointment in Tulsa on the 22nd, he did not release me back to Fayetteville or to therapy yet. However, he did tell me that I could start putting weight on my left leg again. I basically walked out on one crutch and have not looked back since. I will see him again on February 2nd (hopefully for the last time) and would like to walk into his office. Not so fast, when I walk without the AFO, my foot comes down at a funny angle. I hope that some of this will change as the nerves heal, but it has me worried.
What a perfect Christmas holiday! As usual, we went to Fort Smith. As we left the Christmas Eve church service, the sleet was coming down and by the time we made it to Carl and Cissy's house it was turning to snow. Cissy's party was great as always and this year we did not need to leave early to go to my parent's house. I can't remember our last white Christmas. Across town at my parent's house we were able to visit with my Uncle Sam and Daddy Ed, my grandfather, S.E. Lee Jr. Mom's dinner was delicious. We missed 2 of my nephews, Benjy and Alex. Due to the weather, they stayed an extra night with their dad in Texas.
Cara and I escaped to the lake cabin to enjoy a couple peaceful nights to ourselves. I took an extra vacation day to do what I am doing right now - relaxing at home.
J
Regarding the doctor appointment in Tulsa on the 22nd, he did not release me back to Fayetteville or to therapy yet. However, he did tell me that I could start putting weight on my left leg again. I basically walked out on one crutch and have not looked back since. I will see him again on February 2nd (hopefully for the last time) and would like to walk into his office. Not so fast, when I walk without the AFO, my foot comes down at a funny angle. I hope that some of this will change as the nerves heal, but it has me worried.
What a perfect Christmas holiday! As usual, we went to Fort Smith. As we left the Christmas Eve church service, the sleet was coming down and by the time we made it to Carl and Cissy's house it was turning to snow. Cissy's party was great as always and this year we did not need to leave early to go to my parent's house. I can't remember our last white Christmas. Across town at my parent's house we were able to visit with my Uncle Sam and Daddy Ed, my grandfather, S.E. Lee Jr. Mom's dinner was delicious. We missed 2 of my nephews, Benjy and Alex. Due to the weather, they stayed an extra night with their dad in Texas.
Cara and I escaped to the lake cabin to enjoy a couple peaceful nights to ourselves. I took an extra vacation day to do what I am doing right now - relaxing at home.
J
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